First Ever Brit Writers' Awards Unpublished - Winners Announced at Glittering Ceremony

OXFORD, England, July 16, 2010 - In a star-studded gala evening yesterday at London's O2, nine previously
unpublished writers were thrown into the spotlight when they were announced
as winners in the inaugural Brit Writers' Awards.

Set up last year the awards aim to reignite a love of creative writing in
the UK and encourage people who might not previously have considered writing
to put their work forward for an impressive GBP10,000 prize.

The more than 21,000 entries produced winners in nine categories. Overall
winner was former Shropshire teacher Catherine Cooper for children's novel
The Golden Acorn. Crowned Unpublished Writer of the Year 2010 and awarded
with the GBP10,000 prize, Catherine was also given a surprise when it was
revealed that the Brit Writers team had arranged for advance copies of
Catherine's novel to be made by publisher Infinite Ideas in time for the
evening. The book will be available in UK shops from 16 August 2010.

Imran Akram, CEO of Brit Writers said, "We're delighted for Catherine,
who is undoubtedly going to be a very successful author, and for all our
winners and finalists. We've unearthed some real stars with these awards and
look forward to receiving submissions for 2011."

    Other winners during the evening were:

    * POETRY (16 AND UNDER): Laugh Out Loud! by Emily Madden Forman (aged 10)

    * POETRY (ADULT): Foreign Bodies by David C. Byrne

    * SHORT STORY (16 AND UNDER): What Lies Beyond by Sacha Burgess (aged 15)

    * SHORT STORY (ADULT): Crush by Helen Hardy

    * NOVEL (ADULT): Swamps and Marshes by Pamela Vincent

    * NON-FICTION: Six Women on Twelve Walks by Katherine Locke

    * SONGWRITING (16 AND UNDER): 'Doubt' by Freya Ridings

    * SONGWRITING (ADULT): 'An Empty Day' by Nigel Hanson

    * PUBLISHED WRITER OF THE YEAR (the only category for established
      writers): Nation by Sir Terry Pratchett

Notes for editors:

The Brit Writers' Awards Unpublished is an annual event open to
unpublished writers of all ages, from all backgrounds. For more information
about the awards and to sign up as part of BWA go to
www.britwriters.co.uk.

Media enquiries, email media@britwriters.co.uk or call Adrian Weston on
+44(0)7775-700-794. To talk to the organisers call Zareen Ahmed on
+44(0)871-237-4442.

Speak to Infinite Ideas, publisher of the overall winner, on
+44(0)1865-514-888, email info@infideas.com or visit www.infideas.com.

Media enquiries: email media at britwriters.co.uk or call Adrian Weston on
+44(0)7775-700-794. To talk to the organisers call Zareen Ahmed on +44(0)871-237-4442; Speak to Infinite Ideas, publisher of the overall winner, on +44(0)1865-514-888, email info at infideas.com